Roman general who briefly became emperor of
Rome in the political chaos that followed the suicide of Nero. Aulus Vitellius'
father, Lucius, was a powerful Roman
senator who was a close colleague of Claudius.
The younger Vitellius succeeded his father as consul of Rome (48 CE). Nero
made him governor of Africa (61 CE) & then commander of the Roman
legions in southern Germany (68 CE). His troops proclaimed him
emperor in January 69. By July he was master of Rome. Yet,
only a few months later he suffered a major defeat by legions
loyal to Vespasian. Although the Praetorian guard
prevented him from abdicating, he was brutally murdered by his own forces
when rival troops entered Rome (Dec 20), less than a year after they
had catapulted him to power.

Silver denarius
minted at Rome in 69 CE
with laureate image of Vitellius on face with inscription
(clockwise from bottom) Vitellius Germ[anicus]
Imp[erator] Aug[ustus] Tr[ibunis]
P[otentiae]: "Vitellius of Germany, August
Emperor, with the power of tribune." The domestic image of a seated
woman with the inscription ConcordiaP[ax]
R[omana] is ironic nostalgia, given the chaotic
conflicts of his brief imperial tenure